Her smile instantly brightened the room.

Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes, his heart giving a sudden jolt.

He quickly averted his gaze, lest she detect his reaction.

He then let out a wry smile, and wisps of white vapor suddenly emerged from his body.

Activating the Taiyang Zhenjing propelled his internal energy, and in the space of a breath, the white mist dispersed, leaving his monk’s robe as dry and fresh as new.

Xiao Yuan sweet-talked, "Zhanran, your inner strength is truly pure!" Li Muzhan chuckled softly, saying no more.

This, he attributed to the Tianyuan Tuna Shu, but Commander Jin had specifically warned him not to speak of mastering this technique to anyone.

He steered the conversation elsewhere, forcing a wry smile. "Indestructible Vajra Body—it truly takes a toll on one's life!" Mei Ruolan had been observing him continuously, her bright eyes hazy, lost in thought.

Returning to her composure, placid and graceful, she gave a slight nod. "Sustaining it for an hour—you are the first!" "Only one hour?" Li Muzhan gave a bitter laugh, releasing his hands, stretching his back, and sighing, "It felt like a decade!" Mei Ruolan smiled. "It's like this every time you practice.

Zhanran, do you wish to continue?" "I must persevere!" Li Muzhan sighed, still nursing a lingering fear.

Mei Ruolan’s distant gaze swept over him again. "To maintain it for a full hour, Zhanran, your depth of resolve is unbelievable!" Li Muzhan shook his head with a strained smile.

He managed to hold on thanks to the Guantian Ren Shenzhao Jing.

After the orb solidified, his spirit grew ever more resolute and powerful, an impenetrable fortress.

His own Zen cultivation was still insufficient; he hadn't reached the Lijue realm yet.

In deep meditation, his senses were amplified but never diminished.

Mei Ruolan watched Li Muzhan, intensely curious about how he achieved this.

Could this also be one of Buddhism's incomprehensible wonders? Mei Ruolan stated, "The Indestructible Vajra Body is a technique for cleansing marrow and tempering the flesh—it is forging iron!" Li Muzhan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and nodded thoughtfully.

He slowly returned to the Tianshu Courtyard.

It was very quiet within the grounds; a gentle breeze drifted over the lake, rustling the leaves of the locust trees.

Only Zhao Yuzhen was in the courtyard, seated in the covered walkway, reading a book, his brow slightly furrowed, his expression grave and serious.

Li Muzhan shook his head with a faint smile.

His Eldest Martial Brother was indeed a brilliant young talent, but his heartstrings were drawn too tightly; he was far too solemn and lived too arduously.

Seeing him enter, Zhao Yuzhen put down his book and beckoned him over. "Fifth Junior Brother, come and sit." Li Muzhan walked over, taking a seat opposite him, and asked cheerfully, "Eldest Martial Brother, where are Second Martial Brother and the others?" "Your complexion is poor; what happened?" Zhao Yuzhen appraised him briefly. "...Those few are restless; they've gone to the training grounds." Li Muzhan avoided the question, smiling as he asked, "Why aren't you with them, Eldest Martial Brother?" Zhao Yuzhen’s sapphire blue robe contrasted sharply with his jade-like complexion, his eyebrows sweeping sharply towards his temples—a picture of heroic vigor, steady and profound. "I've passed the age for chasing excitement," he shook his head. "I prefer quiet reading...

Once martial arts reach a certain level, breakthroughs are difficult; one needs to gain insight from tangential fields...

Fifth Junior Brother, you should also read more when you have time." Then he smiled. "That advice is redundant, seeing as your conversation suggests you too enjoy reading." Li Muzhan laughed. "Indeed.

Reading allows the spirit to roam ten thousand miles; the enjoyment is boundless." "Your state is higher than mine; I am too concerned with immediate gain!" Zhao Yuzhen chuckled, then frowned as he examined Li Muzhan again. "Fifth Junior Brother, has your injury flared up?" Li Muzhan shook his head. "It's nothing serious, just a bit of fatigue." "Rest well, don't leave any lasting harm," Zhao Yuzhen instructed solemnly. "Yes," Li Muzhan nodded, smiling.

Zhao Yuzhen held his book, musing for a moment. "Fifth Junior Brother, what are your plans moving forward?" "Plans?" Li Muzhan paused, finding the question rather abrupt.

Zhao Yuzhen clarified, "Will you stay quietly in the courtyard to cultivate, or will you become a guard and start taking on missions?" Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow. "I can be a guard already?" Zhao Yuzhen nodded. "Given your standing in the recent minor competition, you qualify to become an Iron Armored Guard." "That easily?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Zhao Yuzhen gave him a knowing, sorrowful look and shook his head. "What is difficult for the weak is not difficult for the strong; for others, achieving a top-three spot in the competition is as hard as scaling the heavens!" He continued, "There are many benefits to becoming a guard.

First, you receive a monthly stipend: Iron Armored Guards get fifty taels of silver a month, Bronze Armored get one hundred, Silver Armored two hundred, Gold Armored four hundred, and Jade Armored a thousand taels!" Li Muzhan sucked in a breath.

One tael of silver was equivalent to a hundred modern dollars.

Although Jinyang City was large, prices weren't exorbitant; one tael could buy twenty catties of pork. "What is the monthly salary for a Vice Steward?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Zhao Yuzhen smiled. "Your Eldest Brother’s salary? Fifty taels a month." Li Muzhan pondered this, then said with a smile, "Big Brother is, after all, an administrator; he doesn't have to risk his life." "Precisely." Zhao Yuzhen nodded approvingly. "The stipends for us guards are exceptionally high." Li Muzhan asked, "Are there other benefits?" Zhao Yuzhen replied, "The manor keeps a Record of Merits.

Every mission yields merit points, recorded in the book.

The manor treasury holds some fine items unavailable outside, which can be exchanged for these merits." "What kind of fine items?" Li Muzhan asked.

Zhao Yuzhen answered, "Some precious medicinal herbs, elixirs, weapons, and so on." "No martial arts manuals?" Li Muzhan mused.

Zhao Yuzhen shook his head. "Martial arts manuals don't require exchange.

Whatever you wish to learn, you may learn, provided you have the ability...

I heard Fifth Junior Brother intends to study the Jingang Bu Huai Shen Gong?" Li Muzhan nodded.

He inwardly admired the Mei family.

People often said wealth doesn't last three generations, yet this manor had stood strong and grown more powerful across generations—truly possessing superior vision.

Zhao Yuzhen sighed. "Fifth Junior Brother, you should reconsider.

The Jingang Bu Huai Shen Gong is not something humans are meant to practice." Li Muzhan smiled. "I just tried cultivating it; it truly is torture." "No wonder your complexion is like this!" Zhao Yuzhen looked at him in surprise.

Li Muzhan smiled and asked, "Eldest Martial Brother, you are an Iron Armored Guard.

What about Second Martial Brother and the others?" Zhao Yuzhen looked at him, then shook his head.

Knowing his stubbornness, persuasion would be useless, so he dropped the topic. "They are all Iron Armored Guards too, but they haven't taken on missions yet." "Why not take missions?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Zhao Yuzhen shook his head. "They still lack sufficient refinement.

Going out rashly is too dangerous.

Let them wait a while longer; you should do the same.

Become an Iron Armored Guard first, collect the stipend without taking missions for now." "...Very well." Li Muzhan nodded; of course, he agreed to such a favorable arrangement.

Zhao Yuzhen nodded. "I will handle this matter.

You focus on recovering from your injuries." As they were speaking, footsteps sounded outside, light as the wind.

In a flash, a figure appeared, gliding into the courtyard—it was Gong Qingyun.

Dressed in a moon-white silk robe, spotless, her delicate melon-seed face was taut.

She paused on the steps, her bright eyes sweeping coldly over the two men. "Junior Sister Gong...?" Zhao Yuzhen quickly stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.

Gong Qingyun returned the gesture with a cold glance, then turned to Li Muzhan. "Zhanran, I need a word with you!" Li Muzhan remained seated, smiling faintly. "Senior Sister Gong, just say what you need to." Gong Qingyun flickered, floating into the covered walkway, carrying a faint, ethereal fragrance.

Up close, her eyes were like pools of water and her skin like snow—truly stunning, but her expression was frosty, capable of repelling people a thousand miles away.

Zhao Yuzhen stepped forward, positioning himself between them. "Junior Sister Gong, speak plainly! ...Fifth Junior Brother's injuries haven't healed." Gong Qingyun frowned and huffed, "What are you doing?!" Zhao Yuzhen felt a surge of awkwardness, offering a forced smile before stepping back.

He realized his reaction was too intense; after all, Junior Sister Gong would never take advantage of someone in distress.

Li Muzhan chuckled softly, helping him out of the situation. "Eldest Martial Brother worries too much! ...Senior Sister Gong is as formidable as any man; why would she attack me at a time like this?" Zhao Yuzhen shook his head, a wry smile crossing his face. "You two talk.

I will return to the main room!" With that, he picked up his scroll, cast one last look at Gong Qingyun, and strode away decisively.

Only the two remained in the walkway.

The cool breeze continued to sweep in from the lake, bringing waves of coolness, and the chirping of birds sounded exceptionally clear. "Senior Sister Gong, please sit and talk," Li Muzhan said with a smile, gesturing to the long bench opposite him.

Gong Qingyun frowned at him, displeased by his casual demeanor, but she suppressed her irritation and sat down across from him, her bright eyes fixed directly on him.

Li Muzhan met her gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips.

After a long moment, Gong Qingyun looked away, her expression slightly unnatural.

Li Muzhan's resolve was firm, a caged tiger lurking within.

Stirred by her intensity, his imposing aura surged forth, and though Gong Qingyun was proud, she instinctively recoiled.

Li Muzhan smiled and asked, "What guidance do you offer, Senior Sister?" Gong Qingyun’s delicate eyebrows were furrowed, her lips tightly pressed, staring intently at the ground as if exotic flowers and rare plants were sprouting there.

Li Muzhan found it amusing.

Seeing her obvious embarrassment, he couldn't help but smile. "Senior Sister Gong, you don't expect me to guess, do you?" "I came to thank you!" Gong Qingyun suddenly stood up, her tone cold.

Li Muzhan paused, then laughed heartily, finding it entertaining.

Her manner did not resemble giving thanks; it looked more like challenging him to a duel. "Laugh! Laugh! What is so funny?!" Gong Qingyun glared at him coldly.

Li Muzhan shook his head, slowly withdrawing his smile, his expression ambiguous. "Senior Sister, why do you thank me?" "Asking when you already know! ...Thank you for showing mercy and sparing my life, is that enough?!" Gong Qingyun spoke rapidly, an overflow of suppressed anger pouring out.

Her chest rose and fell violently as she glared at him fiercely.

Li Muzhan stroked his shaven head, appearing somewhat helpless, and forced a bitter smile. "Alright, alright, I accept your gratitude.

Senior Sister, there's no need to be so formal!" "I will repay this favor sooner or later!" Gong Qingyun scoffed, then turned and left, gliding away like the wind, vanishing from the Tianshu Courtyard in moments.

Li Muzhan smiled, watching the direction she disappeared, finding it interesting.

Although Gong Qingyun was aloof, she understood reason.

Zhao Yuzhen pushed open the door, entered the walkway, and let out a sigh. "Eldest Martial Brother, did you hear everything?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile. "Your voices were loud enough that it was hard not to hear," Zhao Yuzhen nodded, then shook his head. "Alas...

poor Junior Sister Gong!" "Are you feeling sympathetic, Eldest Martial Brother?" Li Muzhan chuckled. "Don't talk nonsense!" Zhao Yuzhen’s face immediately darkened.

Li Muzhan remained unconcerned, still smiling faintly. "Eldest Martial Brother, this won't do.

If you have something on your mind, it's better to speak it out!" Zhao Yuzhen shot him a sidelong glance. "Fifth Junior Brother, you are a monk, yet you seem to know quite a bit!" Li Muzhan smiled. "Ordinary people cannot escape greed, anger, and delusion.

Attachment brings suffering, Eldest Martial Brother; you must see things clearly!" Zhao Yuzhen sighed wryly and shook his head, unwilling to say more.

Seeing his demeanor, Li Muzhan offered no further advice.

Attachment was simple to speak of, but once caught, it was hard to break free; outsiders could not help.

He was short on time now and dared not delay further.

He excused himself and returned to his own quarters to begin meditation, cultivating the Liu Bu Zhen Jing.

As the orb solidified, his spirit grew stronger, and the circulation speed of his inner energy doubled.

In one full cycle, he could complete two rotations.

The inner energy surged rapidly through his meridians, nourishing them.

He felt acutely sensitive, able to clearly perceive his meridians strengthening, granting him greater impetus.

As evening approached, the sun set in the west, and he concluded his seated practice, deeply satisfied.

Cultivating inner energy was extremely taxing on the spirit.

Normally, after practicing for an hour, a person would be utterly exhausted and would need sleep or rest, but that was not the case for him.

If it had been before, a short period of meditation would have been enough to recover.

Now, he didn't even need to meditate.

His energy was incredibly abundant, like an unending spring of water, inexhaustible no matter how much he used.

He practiced straight through until dusk.

Exiting his room, he saw Zhao Yuzhen and the other three chatting and laughing in the covered walkway, looking quite relaxed.

Yu Chi Ming waved at him, calling out loudly, "Fifth Junior Brother, someone was looking for you just now." "Who was it?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile, slowly walking in.

A round table was set up in the walkway, covered with fruits.

The ground was a mess of discarded melon rinds and fruit cores.

Yu Chi Ming replied, "Said he was your distant cousin." "Oh, we'll talk about that later.

Have you eaten?" Li Muzhan sat down and bit into a yellow pear.

Yu Chi Ming boomed, "We were waiting for you!" Li Muzhan laughed. "Alright, tonight we go to Chaoran Tower, my treat!" "Excellent! Let's go to Chaoran Tower!" Yu Chi Ming instantly became elated.